Input device for controlling operation of a game console

ABSTRACT

An input device for inputting a command in order to control operation of a game console. The input device includes an button mounted on the game console, actuation of the button resulting in input of a first command into the game console; and a rotary disc mounted on the game console and surrounding the button in such a manner that rotation of the rotary disc results in input of a second command different from the first command into the game console, thereby controlling operation of the game console.

This application claims the benefits of the Taiwan Patent Application Serial NO. 098205895, filed on Apr. 10, 2009, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an input device, more particularly to an input device to be installed in a game console in order to control operation of the game console.

2. Description of the Related Art

There is a variety of game consoles. Each of the game consoles generally includes a joystick, a rotary disc and a press button. Usually, the joystick is used for moving an object upward, downward, leftwise and rightwise directions in a display screen, and pressing the press button resulting in input of a command for executing a task, such as firing a bullet, jumping from one place to the other or clamping a kit within the show case.

The game console of the present day is more and more complex in structure in order to increase the extremity and difficulties of the games so as to arouse the attraction of the players. Most game consoles require both hands to operate, such as one hand on the joystick, the rotary disc while the other hand is used for pressing the press button so as to move and input an execution command, such as performing a shooting game by shifting the gun for firing at the target.

At present, the device for inputting the command, like the joystick, the rotary disc and the press button are respectively and generally installed on the console body. After manipulating the device with one hand for a period of time and in case of replacing with the other hand, both hands may come across each other and tangle up due to the limited position of the device on the console body, thereby causing inconvenience to the player. Such type of the input device is suitable for shifting a single item of the game console. It is noted that the aforementioned device is unfit for shifting two items in the game console.

The object of the present invention is to provide an input device that is to be applied within a game console and that can be clear off the disadvantages mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As stated above and since the prior input device restricts the manipulation steps, the object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can be applied in a variety of game consoles for controlling operation of the game consoles.

An input device is provided according to the present invention for inputting a command in order to control operation of a game console having a console body. The input device accordingly includes a button and a rotary disc. The button is mounted on the console body and actuation of the button results in input of a first command into the game console.

The rotary disc is mounted on the console body and surrounds the button. Rotation of the rotary disc results in input of a second command different from the first command into the game console.

The game console provided with the input device of the present invention includes a display unit, a memory device and a processor. The game console is capable of performing a corresponding incident based on the input command.

Moreover, the input device further includes a restoration structure mounted in the console body and is connected to the rotary disc so as to enable the rotary disc to retrieve its initial position once an applied rotation force is removed from the rotary disc.

The input device further includes a first sensing member coupled electrically to the button for generating a first signal upon activation of the button and a second sensing member coupled electrically to the rotary disc for generating a second signal to rotate the rotary disc to a predetermined position from an initial position upon application of an external rotation force.;

The processor displays a first incident in the display unit upon receives of the first signal from the first sensing member and further displays a second incident in the display unit upon receives of the second signal from the second sensing member.

In the input device of the present invention, since the rotary disc serves as the joystick and the rotary disc is cooperated with the button at the periphery thereof in order to maintain its initial rotation angles. Thus, an operator or a player manipulating the rotary disc can handle the rotary disc with a single hand regardless of his left or right handed habits or as he desires. Meantime, the player of the game console can directly press the button with the other hand, thereby providing convenience and comfort to the player.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of this invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an input device of the present invention;

FIG. 2A shows a game console in which the input device of the present invention is implemented;

FIG. 2B shows the elements employed in the input device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the input device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the input device of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the input device of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the input device of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B respectively illustrate drum beating performance conducted in the game console equipped with the input device of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a tank battle conducted in the game console equipped with the input device of the present invention; and

FIGS. 9A and 9B respectively illustrate ghost catching game displayed in the display unit of the game console equipped with the input device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The input device of the present invention is installed in a variety of game consoles or TV game devices and the installation methods are not restricted thereto. A few embodiments are given in the following paragraphs for better understanding of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an input device of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a game console in which the input device of the present invention is implemented. FIG. 2B shows the elements employed in the input device of the present invention;

As illustrated, the input device 2 of the present invention is to be installed in a game console 9 for inputting a command C in order to control operation (an incident or task) of the game console 9. The game console 9 includes a console body. The input device 2 accordingly includes a button 21 mounted on the console body and a rotary disc 22 mounted on the console body and surrounding the button 21.

The game console 9 includes a display unit 24, a memory device 25 and a processor 26. The game console 9 further includes a restoration structure 23, a first sensing member 27 and a second sensing member 28.

The restoration structure 23 is mounted within the console body and is connected to the rotary disc 22 so as to enable the rotary disc 22 to retrieve its initial position once an applied rotation force is removed from the rotary disc 22. In this embodiment, a coil spring serves as the restoration structure 23 and any components capable of restoring the rotary disc 22 to its initial position can be implemented, so that no special limitation should be restricted thereto.

The display unit 24 includes a display screen for displaying a corresponding operation of the game or task based on the command C. The memory device 25 is in electrical communication with the processor 26. The processor 26 is further coupled electrically to the first and second sensing members 27, 28.

A built-in main program is stored within the memory device 25 so that the processor 26 can process and convert a signal into the command by utilizing the main program, thereby conducting a corresponding incident or task based on the command.

In the game console 9, the first sensing member 27 is coupled electrically to the button 21 for generating a first signal upon activation of the button 21. The processor 26 displays a first incident in the display screen of the display unit 24 upon receives of the first signal from the first sensing member 27.

The second sensing member 28 is coupled electrically to the rotary disc 22 for generating a second signal once the rotation force is applied so as to rotate the rotary disc 22 to a predetermined position from its initial position. The processor 26 further displays a second incident in the display screen of the display unit 24 upon receives of the second signal from the second sensing member 28. The rotary disc 22 is mounted co-axially with the second sensing member 28 for simultaneous rotation therewith. Any detection method can be implemented so that structure of the sensing member should not be limited in the present embodiment. The rotary disc 22 is further formed with a plurality of angularly spaced light apertures. The second sensing member 28 is provided with a pulse cam for shielding light beams passing through the light apertures in the rotary disc 22. Under this condition, the second sensing member 28 is capable of detecting rotation angle of the rotary disc 22. Detecting the rotation angle of the rotary disc 22 via the light apertures is known art and a detailed description of the detection operation is deleted for the sake of brevity.

The second sensing member 28 is mounted on the rotary disc 22 via a bearing unit so that it can idly rotate relative to the rotary disc 22. The aforesaid pulse cam can be installed on the inner side of the second sensing member 28 so as to be co-axial with the rotary disc 22 for detecting rotation angle or rotation speed of the rotary disc 22. The second sensing member 28 later transmits the detection to the processor 26.

In the present embodiment, the rotary disc 22 can be rotated in a clockwise direction so as to shift the shooting portion toward the right side of the display screen. It can be designed to rotate the rotary disc 22 in the clockwise direction several times so that no stopper is required to retard the rotation speed of the rotary disc 22, which, in turn, enhances maintainability of the game console. Alternately, a stopper can be mounted directly on the rotary disc 22 or via the pulse cam for limiting a predetermined rotation time of the rotary disc 22 (the rotary disc is rotated one or two round).

Once the game console 9 is connected to the electrical power source, the performance of a game can be started after initialization of each components of the game console. Generally, a game demonstration is displayed over the display unit 24 of the game console 9 in order to attract the attention or inspiration of the player or assists the player to understand how to manipulate the game console. In the present embodiment, the game match starts once a coin is into the coin slot.

Referring to FIG. 7A, a hammer and a monster appear in the display screen at the beginning of a game match. By rotating the rotary disc 22 to a certain degree or speed, the hammer will shift leftwise or rightwise in the display screen so as to align with the monster. Upon aligning the hammer with respect to the monster, the player can press the button 21, which action resulting in hitting the monster with the hammer from above, as best shown in FIG. 7B.

Note that the target (the monster) may shift upward, downward, leftwise and rightwise in the display screen. Therefore, the player must rotate the rotary disc 22 in order to align the hammer 22 relative to the target. Pressing of the button 21 results in transmission of a first signal to the processor 26, which converts the first signal into a first command. The first command is a hammering action so that the display unit 24 shows a first incident (the hammering action) upon receives of the first command. Further rotation of the rotary disc 22 results in transmission of a second signal to the processor 26, which converts the second signal into a second command based on rotation degree of the rotary disc 22. The second command is to shift the hammer to a position aligned with the target. The display unit 24 shows a second incident (aligning the hammer relative to the target) upon receipt of the second command.

In addition, several incidents can be setup based on different setting parameters. The pressing of the button 21 can be set for gripping an object or hitting the target. For the first incident, the display screen may display clamping of a doll, knocking out an opponent or smashing an article. Under the similar principles, rotation of the rotary disc 22 to certain degrees can be setup for different actins, such as moving a plane or shifting one participant in the game match.

FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively show a second embodiment and a third embodiment of the input device of the present invention.;

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rotary disc 22 is provided with a handle 3 projecting upwardly from an upper surface so as to permit the player gripping thereon for rotating the disc 22. In FIG. 3, the rotary disc 22 has an upper surface formed with a recess 4 instead of the handle for rotating the same. Due to presence of the handle 3 or the recess 4, the player can stably grip the handle 3 or the recess 4, thereby preventing slipping off the hand from the rotary disc 22.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the input device of the present invention. The input device further includes a press button 31 installed on the handle 3 and electrically coupled to the game console in such a manner that pressing of the press button 31 results in a third command. The third command can be any incident setup accordingly and the same will be displayed over the display screen of the display unit.

For instance, while the player's left hand grips the handle 3 and rotates the rotary disc 22, the player's right hand can press the button 21. Under such condition, the player can use his thumb to depress the button 31 for executing a command. Alternately, the button 31 can be arranged in such a manner to serve the function for replacing the button 21. Once the rotary disc 22 is thus arranged, the player can manipulate (like shooting) the game console with a single hand.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the input device of the present invention, in which, the button 21 is replaced with a tracking ball 5 installed on a track sensing member 51 coupled electrically to the game console. The track sensing member 51 generates a fourth command upon detecting rolling action of the tracking ball on a track. The fourth command is a fourth incident to be displayed over the display screen of the display unit.

The tracking ball 5 can provide another type of manipulation for the game console. FIG. 8 illustrates a tank battle conducted in the game console equipped with the input device of the present invention, in which, the rotary disc 22 controls the aiming direction of the tanks toward the target while the tracking ball 5 controls movement of the tanks towards and away from the target or movement of the tanks in different directions.

When the rotary disc 22 is combined with the button 21 or the tracking ball 5, the game console 9 possesses different manipulation types, thereby facilitating the player to operate the game console. The input device of the present invention is simple in structure and can be implemented easily in the game consoles. Moreover, the input device of the present invention can be produced in the forms of portable rotary disc or knob or portable tracking kit for external connection to TV game sets.

FIGS. 9A and 9B respectively illustrate ghost catching game displayed in the display unit of the game console equipped with the input device of the present invention. It is setup that pressing of the button 21 results in firing of the bullets and rotation of the rotary disc 22 results in shifting of the guns from one place to the other for aiming at the ghost (the target). When the button 21 is depressed, the gun fires at the ghost, as best shown in FIG. 9B.

As described above, when the input device of the present invention is implemented in the game console, the manipulation ability is enhanced so as to permit the player to be more handy, i.e., whether the player is left-handed or right-handed, he can manipulate the game console with ease. The input device of the present invention can be externally connected to a TV set or a computer set for carrying out the game match.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. An input device for inputting a command in order to control operation of a game console, the input device comprising: a button mounted on the game console, actuation of said button resulting in input of a first command into the game console; and a rotary disc mounted on the game console and surrounding said button, rotation of said rotary disc resulting in input of a second command different from said first command into the game console.
 2. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a restoration structure mounted in the game console and connected to said rotary disc so as to enable said rotary disc to retrieve its initial position once an applied rotation force is removed from said rotary disc.
 3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the game console includes a display unit, a memory device and a processor, the input device further comprising: a first sensing member coupled electrically to said button for generating a first signal upon activation of said button; a second sensing member coupled electrically to said rotary disc for generating a second signal once said rotation force is applied so as to rotate said rotary disc to a predetermined position from an initial position; wherein, said processor displays a first incident in the display unit upon receives of said first signal from said first sensing member and further displays a second incident in the display unit upon receives of said second signal from said second sensing member.
 4. The input device according to claim 3, wherein said second sensing member is installed within the game console in correspondence to said rotary disc in such a manner that said second sensing member generates a corresponding signal based on rotation angle of said rotary disc.
 5. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said rotary disc is provided with a handle.
 6. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said rotary disc has an upper surface formed with a recess.
 7. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said rotary disc has an upper surface, a handle projecting upwardly from said upper surface and a press button installed on said handle and electrically coupled to the game console in such a manner that pressing of said press button results in a third command.
 8. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said button includes a tracking ball installed on a track sensing member, which generates a fourth command upon detecting rolling action of said tracking ball on a track. 